Croatian President Ivo Josipovic on Tuesday received the speaker of the Czech parliament's lower house, Miloslav Vlcek, whose visit marks the next stage in the cooperation of the national parliaments after the Treaty of Lisbon went into force, President Josipovic's office said in a press release.
Josipovic and Vlcek reaffirmed the good relations between Croatia and the Czech Republic and the closeness of the two peoples.
Vlcek reaffirmed the support of his country to Croatia and all countries in the region on their road to European Union membership.
The two officials discussed strategic issues of interest to Croatia and the Czech Republic, underlining the need to closely cooperate in energy security and the management of natural resources as well as to improve economic cooperation.
Vlcek was also received by the state secretary for political issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Davor Bozinovic, who welcomed the excellent friendly relations between the two countries.
Vlcek said the Czech Republic was willing to transfer its experience to Croatia in the final stage of its EU entry negotiations as well as after its accession. He voiced confidence that the two countries would continue to closely cooperate within the EU.